Bridle strap or tape



Dec. 19, 1933. J. H. BURROUGHS BRIDLE STRAP OR TAPE Filed Feb. 17, 1933 INVENTOR WITNESSES Joseph H .Burroug/zs /1 M MW 7M& L

ATTORNEYS Patented Dec. 19, 1933 1,940,532 nammi STRAP on TAPE Joseph H. Burroughs, New Rochelle, N. Y. Application February 1'7, 1933. Serial No. 657,31!

5 Claims. (01. 84-253) This invention relates to bridle straps, and more particularly to improved meansfor securing a bridle strap to the catcher shank of a piano action.

This invention is primarily adapted for use where it is necessary to repair a piano action by the replacement of bridle straps, as this is one of the frequent causes of replacementdue to the fact that bridle straps wear and break. I

My invention includes an improved means whereby one end of the bridle strap maybe looped about the catcher shank and be securely held thereon, and which is noiseless in use.

- vibrations due to the coupling means.

A further object is to provide a bridle strap and coupling means therefor which facilitate the insertion of new-bridge straps in piano actions and insure perfect coupling means without any sound With these and other objects .in view, vention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts, all of which will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing,- Figure 1 is a view mainly in sideelevation but partly in section, illustrating my improved bridle strap in operativeposition on a piano action;

Figure 2 is a view mainly in elevation but show-.

ing the coupling device in section on my improved bridle strap; m

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the rubber sleeve which I employ as part of my improved coupling device; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the metal sleeve which I employ as part of my improved coupling device. i 1 I 1 represents a hammer shank carrying a hammer head 2at one end and connected to the hammer butt 3 at its other end. 4 is the usual catcher shank extending from the hammer head and carrying a catcher 5 which is provided with U the usual opening 6. '7 represents my improved bridle strap which constitutes a strip of suitable flexible material having a wedge-shaped bridle strap tip 8 secured on the face thereof at one end having an opening 9 therein to receive the ordinary bridle wire 10!. By making this wedgeshaped tip 8 of felt it can be readily manipulated through the coiled or .twisted end of the bridle strap wire and be suitably coupled thereto, and

present a strong connection.

My invention has particularly to do with the manner of securing thebridle strap to the catcher shank, and for this purpose Iemploy a coupling I device which consists of an outer rubber or other in-M claims.

resilient sleeve and an inner non-resilient or metal sleeve 11. The metal sleeve 11 is designed to fit snugly'within the rubber sleeve 10, and is shorter than the bore of said rubber sleeve and is preferably curved inwardly at its inner end, 1 as indicated at 12. I

The outer end of the metal sleeve is provided with-an annular outwardly projecting flange 13 which is preferably slightly curved in cross section, as clearly shown in Figure 2 of the drawing'. In locating this coupling device on the strapI first project the end of the strap through the bore of the rubber sleeve 10 and then insert the metal sleeve 11, clamping a portion 14 of the shank; the other endof the strap is then projected through the opening 6 in the catcher and the tape is drawn taut to reduce the diameter of the loop 15, and securely clamp the catcher shank with the rubber sleeve 10 located against the catcher 5 so as to prevent any metallic contacts, r

thus preventing any. sound due to the coupling device. p, t

A device of this character can be easily and quickly placed inoperative position when the bridle strap '7, with which the action is initially provided, is broken or injured, and a strong,

durable connection is thus provided. While I have illustrated ,what Ibelieve to be the preferred embodiment of my invention it is to at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the What I claim is: f I l. A bridle strap for piano actions including inner and outer sleeves, and a stripclamped be- 1 tween the sleeves and looped through the sleeves for engagement with the catcher shank of a piano action.

2. In combination with a bridle strap, a coupling device for securing one end of the strap,

said coupling device including an outer resilient sleeve and an-inner non-resilient sleeve between which an end of the strap is clamped.

3. A coupling device for bridle straps comprisnos - ing an outer rubber sleeve, an inner metal sleeve 3 :1

strap between the metal sleeve 11 and the rubber be distinctly understood that various slight 1, j changes may be made'with regard to the form and arrangement of parts without departing from I 5. The combination with a bridle strap of a coupling device including inner and outer sleeves between which the ends of the strap are clamped and the strap looped through both sleeves, and a wedge-shaped bridle strap tip secured on the face of the strap at one end for coupling engagement with a bridle wire.

JOSEPH H. BURROUGHS. 

